Vehicle Description
-One of 449 US Model 911 L Coupes built.
-One of 22 factory-built in 1968 with significant rally
options.
-Fully documented history, including original window sticker.
-FIVA Certified and Shown at The Quail: A Motorsports
Gathering.
This Porsche 911 L is one of 449 L models built and one of just 22
911s built in 1968 with enough rally options to be considered an
actual factory-built "rally car." While rally is a broad term, it
is used to identify sports purpose and competition options. This
car was ordered new by twenty-nine-year-old Ernest Messenger from
the Porsche dealer in Manhasset Long Island. His intention for this
911 was to build a car that could be used in rally racing on
gravel, dirt, and snow. To this end, he specified an engine
compartment light, traveling kit, traveling kit - special tool and
parts, quartz fog light, roll bar, limited-slip differential, and
full underside protection via stone guards for the steering unit,
fuel tank, engine crankcase, and transmission.
Mr. Messenger flew to Germany, toured the factory, and took
delivery of his new car on May 31, 1968. From there, he drove it
around Germany, Switzerland, and Austria before shipping it home.
Shortly after the car arrived in New York, Mr. Messenger realized
that his new 911 was just too expensive to enter in rally
competition as he had initially planned. Instead, he used it
sparingly on paved roads in the Northeast until he sold it in
1985.
The second owner, Mr. Smith, of Long Island, kept the car until
2004 when he sold it to well-known Porsche enthusiast, Don Ahearn.
At the time of sale, the car was very original and showing just
99,500 miles. During his three-year ownership, Mr. Ahearn rebuilt
the car mechanically and uprated the original 2.0L engine to 2.2L
"S" spec. He used new pistons and cylinders, Carillo rods, a new
Elgin (906/S) cam, upgraded chain tensioners, and heads that were
ported and flowed. The undercarriage, suspension, and trunk were
refinished as well while the paint was left alone. During this
rebuild, some period-correct racing accessories were installed,
including an expensive 100L fuel tank, 911R oil catch tank, 7x15
911R rear wheels, passenger map light, and rally clock on the dash.
A few years later, Mr. Ahearn sold the car to Canepa Design, who
sold it to one of their customers in 2008.
The new owner drove it on two significant rallies and showed it at
The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, where it was displayed in a
special tribute to Hans-Joachim Stuck. Like Mr. Ahearn, this owner
proved to be an incredibly good caretaker. He devoted a significant
amount of time to track down the original owner, Mr. Messenger.
During a phone call, he described his careful selection of options
and recounted his ownership of the car. During the conversation,
Mr. Messenger remembered that he still had the original Porsche
invoice and German registration. This was great news as the
Certificate of Authenticity lacked option codes and many specific
details regarding the extremely rare and desirable build
specification. Mr. Messenger gladly mailed the documents to the
owner, and they remain with the car today. With all of this in
hand, as well as some correspondences with Jurgen Barth (who stated
it was one of 22 factory-built rally cars for 1968), the owner
applied and was granted a FIVA certification. With the FIVA
identity card in hand, the car is eligible for some very
prestigious events.
In 2012 the car was traded to the present owner and has been part
of a significant collection of cars. In early 2019 he commissioned
a full repaint in the original color of silver and had the Recaro
sport seats trimmed in houndstooth. The rest of the interior
remains original with excellent door panels, a good headliner, and
an acceptable dash. Lightweight rubber mats line the floors, and
the minimal carpeting is original. The unique rear storage
compartment is intact, and the roll bar has excellent patina.
Overall, this 911 L presents very well, has covered just 3,000
miles since the full mechanical rebuild and it runs and drives very
well. The engine and transmission numbers match all documentation
from Porsche, and the unique rally build has been confirmed.
VIN: 11805364
Engine Number: 3281193 (Type 901/14)
Transmission Number: 3282235 (Type 901-05) - aluminum gearbox
case
Exterior Paint Color: Silver Metallic (Code 96024)
Interior Material Color/Type: Black - Leather
Dunlop 165-15 Tires
Completion Date: 3/6/68
Miles: 103,109 Original Miles (003,109 indicated)
Porsche Car Type 911 L Coupe $5,325.00
9278 - increase for USA equipment $250.00
9403 - increase for special paint with metallic $183.75
9428 - seats in leather $90.00
9326 - 1 Blaupunkt Radio Type New York US Band with
No. 1582 486, with 1 loudspeaker and antenna $177.50
9481 - increase for Catacolor tinted glass all around $45.00
9186 - chromed flap light in engine compartment $8.25
9219 - travelling kit $33.75
9440 - 2 headrests left - right $28.00
9210 - travelling kit - special tools and parts $28.75
9292 - quartz iodine fog light, white 911 L $9.50
9435 - Roll Bar $62.50
9561 - stone guard for steering unit and fuel tank $15
9562 - stone guard for engine crankcase and transmission $37.50
9574 - limited slip differential $105.00
9520 - stainless steel muffler skirt $30.00
Subtotal $6,489.50
Registration $60.00
Deposit of 10% German sales tax $648.95
Total US $7,138.45